Wyke, 21, joined Middlesbrough in July 2011 but is yet to make a first team appearance.

Instead he spent three months on loan at non-League Kettering – scoring twice in 12 appearances – before being loaned to League One Hartlepool for most of last season.

However, with just two goals in 25 appearances, Wyke could not prevent the Pools relegation to League Two.

Ardley said: “We looked at Charlie last season and we have monitored him since then.

“He comes highly recommended from contacts that we’ve got in the north and we’ve watched Charlie play this season for the U21s.”

He added: “Middlesbrough have been very good with us in this deal because it requires hardly any financial outlay. Charlie is an out-and-out striker and we can certainly have a look at him during January.”

Since the 4-0 win over Portsmouth on November 23, the Dons have found goals hard to come scoring only three goals in seven games.

Leading scorer Michael Smith has returned to his parent club Charlton Athletic with his possible return unclear, while last season’s top scorer Jack Midson is out of favour at the Cherry Red Record stadium.